After purchasing over 100 acres of land near Interstate 376 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike this summer, officials at Monroe County-based Mount Airy Casino (pictured) say they submitted a formal application to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on Friday to build a mini-casino and entertainment complex in Big Beaver. Before Mount Airy could submit the application, it first had to conduct a local impact study, a traffic study and other research. According to The Times… Having submitted the application, the final process to approve the mini-casino has begun, paving the way for an early 2019 groundbreaking in western Pennsylvania. Possible 2019 opening: Casino officials, say Vincent Jordan, vice president of marketing and gaming operations for Mount Airy Pittsburgh, are excited that the application has been submitted to the state gaming board kick-starting the formal process necessary to open the satellite casino as early as the latter part of 2019.
“While the due diligence process is underway, we’re enthusiastic about working with the community on job training and other partnerships,” said Jordan. “We are looking forward to communicating our plans and are appreciative of all the help and collaboration we have received from Beaver County officials.” Terms of the license: In February, Mount Airy #1 LLC won the right to open the eastern state’s third min-casino when its bid of almost $21.2 million was accepted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Under the terms of the license, the new Category Four facility will reportedly operate 750 slot machines along with 30 gaming tables in exchange for agreeing to pay a 50 percent tax on all slot revenues alongside a 14 percent duty on table takings.
Discussions with educational partners and workforce development will reportedly begin this week in Beaver County when officials from Mount Airy demonstrate their commitment to the project, according to chairman of the county board of commissioners, Daniel Camp. “It’s great to see another organization and business comes into Beaver County who is willing to and will be a great neighbour to our community,” said Camp. “I think them being here this early prior to breaking ground is a sign that shows the commitment to the community and the project.” Board staff to review application: The application most likely won’t be available for public review for several weeks, said gaming control spokesman, Douglas Harbach. It will be reviewed by gaming control board staff for completeness and if encountered will redact any confidential information. Harbach added that Big Beaver will host a public comment hearing; however, the location and date have yet to be finalized.
The facility’s initial phase of construction, which includes restaurants and a casino, is covered by the application, while phase two will expand into more entertainment opportunities. Phase one, Mount Airy estimates, will generate 300 constructions jobs and as many as 500 full-time permanent jobs. Phase two, meanwhile, will reportedly add 200 to 300 more full-time jobs and a yet to be determined number of construction jobs. Camp added, “From the due diligence we have done here, we know what the Mount Airy organization does for the community in Mount Pocono. “We’re excited for them to bring that here, along with the family-sustaining jobs they will be providing for workers from Beaver County and all through the region.”
Rivers Casino pulls out: Recently, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that three additional interactive gaming certificates have become available due to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh withdrawing its application for these licenses covering the provision of online video slot, poker and table games. The withdrawal by the casino owned by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming results in a total of 10 certificates now available for “Qualified Gaming Entities” wishing to offer interactive gaming in the Commonwealth.
